Car sickness can turn an eagerly awaited family trip into a nightmare. It occurs when the brain receives conflicting information from the inner ears, eyes and nerves, writes Geraldine Herbert

Carsickness is a fairly common experience for children aged between two and 12, but there are some ways it can be eased or even prevented...

1. Distraction is often the best cure, so encourage children to focus on things outside the car avoiding activities that keep attention inside. It is best not to resort to DVDs or tablets, as they can make carsickness worse. Instead, opt for audio books or play games such as I Spy that encourage children to look out of the window.

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2. Make sure the car is properly ventilated, with the heating or air-conditioning system's re-circulation feature turned off – get some fresh air into the car, as it calms the tummy.

3. Stopping regularly is a good idea as motion sickness is related to our sense of balance and getting out of the car and walking for a short time can restore that balance.

4. While it is not a good idea to travel on an empty stomach, be careful with snacks before you set off and in particular avoid greasy and spicy foods. Drinking plenty of water will help and munching on ginger biscuits may ease motion sickness for some. Chewing gum can also be beneficial.

5. Anti-sickness travel bands apply pressure to a particular point on the inside of the wrist, which can bring relief to some sufferers. Boots have a range suitable for children aged two to 12 years.

6. Where you sit in the car can make a difference, so move any child feeling queasy to the middle seat in the back of the car where they will be best able to focus clearly on the road ahead.

7. The way you drive can help ease or exacerbate the problem, so try to drive as smoothly as possible and avoid sudden braking and harsh acceleration.

8. If the problem is persistent, talk to your doctor about medications that can prevent motion sickness.

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9. It is always best to be prepared, so keep a waterproof bag and a clean-up kit in the car. Include a change of clothes, paper towels, antibacterial hand wipes, upholstery cleaner and a towel to cover the cleaned seat.

10. Finally… try to forget that you’ve got to go through it all again on the return journey!

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